Effects of drinking water defluoridation on mineral and haemato-biochemical status in fluorotic buffaloes

Abstract

Effects of drinking water defluoridation with alum (1.5 g/liter) and lime (200 mg/liter) were assessed on mineral, biochemical status and health of fluorotic buffaloes in fluoride endemic South-West Punjab, India. The fluorotic buffaloes (n=16; plasma fluoride: 0.44-0.97 ppm, urinary fluoride: 18.90-39.30 ppm) were randomly divided into two equal groups (Treatment: TRT; Control: CRL). The TRT was offered defluoridated water while CRL was offered non-treated water, adlib for drinking for 135 days. Other feeding and management practices were similar for both the groups. Plasma and urine samples were collected on day 0, 45, 90 and 135 and health of the buffaloes were monitored. The drinking water defluoridation resulted in significant (p Lass Than 0.01) decline in water fluoride contents from 10.64±0.09 to 1.24±0.03 ppm. There was significant (p Lass Than 0.01) decline in plasma and urinary fluoride concentrations and significant (p Lass Than 0.01) increase in plasma calcium, copper and zinc concentrations in the TRT group. There was no effect of water defluoridation on plasma inorganic phosphorus, magnesium, Hb and TEC, however PCV increased and alkaline phosphatase activity decreased significantly (p Lass Than 0.01) in TRT group. Two buffaloes from CRL showed stiffness on day 64 and 81, respectively, while all the buffaloes from the TRT group remained healthy during the study period. It is concluded that defluoridation of drinking water with alum and lime was effective in reducing water fluoride contents to permissible levels and it improved mineral, biochemical status and health of fluorotic buffaloes.